Fort Simpson (Dec 23/05) - There will still be a municipal element to the Jan. 23 election when residents can vote on the plebiscite about the elimination of alcohol restrictions in the community.

But the outcome of the vote might not have an affect. Someone from the office of Floyd Roland, NWT finance minister, phoned the senior administrative officer at the village to inform the council that the minister doesn't have to abide by the decision.

Some councillors were shocked by the news.

"Are you trying to tell me that the people of this community have no say?" asked Coun. Kim Squires.

New councillor

Lynn Wharton is the newest member of the Fort Simpson village council. Wharton won a councillor position by acclamation after a seat opened up with the departure of Dennis Nelner. She will be sworn in at the Jan. 3 council meeting.

No more siren

The distinctive siren that sounds every day at noon will be silent after Jan. 3. After some debate the council decided the siren will be disconnected. Coun. Bob Hanna wanted more time for the decision.

"It's probably become a bit of a tradition, maybe we should get some public input," he said.

Coun. Tom Wilson disagreed. "All we've heard over the years is many complaints."

Mayor Raymond Michaud said the siren will be silenced to see what the public says. If an evacuation of the island is even called the public will be informed by loud speakers.

Going once...going twice...

Next March the 1988 Amerteck fire truck owned by the village will be sold at auction by Ritchie Bros. in Edmonton. The decision was opposed by Coun. Norm Prevost and Coun. Bob Hanna.

"Why should we take the gamble," asked Prevost. "If we take $8,000 we are $8,000 ahead."

Mayor Raymond Michaud agreed that an auction sale is a gamble, but the council is trusting the information from Fire Chief Pat Rowe. At the Dec. 5 meeting, Rowe told the council that similar trucks have sold for between $25,000 and $40,000 at auction.